Cloud based data migration and replication

ABSTRACT

A mechanism is provided in a data processing system for data replication. The mechanism divides a set of data to be replicated into a plurality of slices. Each slice of the plurality of slices is to be copied from a primary site to a master secondary site within a plurality of secondary sites. The plurality of secondary sites comprises the master secondary site and at least one subsidiary peer site. The mechanism copies the plurality of slices from the primary site to the plurality of secondary sites such that the master secondary site stores a first slice of the set of data and each of the at least one subsidiary peer site stores a corresponding slice of the set of data. Responsive to completion of copying the plurality of slices to the plurality of secondary sites, for each of the at least one subsidiary peer site, the mechanism initiates copying of the corresponding slice of the set of data to the master secondary site.

The present application relates generally to an improved data processingapparatus and method and more specifically to mechanisms for cloud baseddata migration and replication.

Cloud computing is the use of computing resources (hardware andsoftware) that are delivered as a service over a network (typically theInternet). Cloud computing entrusts remote services with a user's data,software and computation. Using software as a service, users also rentapplication software and databases. The cloud providers manage theinfrastructure and platforms on which the applications run. End usersmay access cloud-based applications through a web browser or alight-weight desktop or mobile app while the business software and userdata are stored on servers at a remote location.

Cloud services today are taking center stage in providing numerousservices like infrastructures, applications, storage, etc. Cloud storageis basically a networked online storage, which can be bought or leasedaccording to storage needs. The entities using the storage cloud are notconcerned about how the space is made available to them, but more aboutwhether the guaranteed space is made available or not. Another concernis the privacy of the data and sense of acknowledgement that if the datais stored on such cloud storage, it remains secure. This becomes moreimportant if one copies or replicates critical data or production datato a remote site to meet business continuity requirements. It is alsoimportant that the production data be copied to the remote site asquickly as possible while meeting the available bandwidth and costrequirements.

Cloud storage services are becoming more and more common and can beleveraged to copy data to the nearest location during network contentionand then copy the data to the remote location over a period of time.Security and privacy are major concerns in the deployments as describedabove. It may be possible for a person sitting at one of the cloudstorage sites to get a peer view on production or primary data thatmight contain confidential or personal information.

SUMMARY

In one illustrative embodiment, a method, in a data processing system,is provided for data replication. The method comprises dividing a set ofdata to be replicated into a plurality of slices. Each slice of theplurality of slices is to be copied from a primary site to a mastersecondary site within a plurality of secondary sites. The plurality ofsecondary sites comprises the master secondary site and at least onesubsidiary site. The method further comprises copying the plurality ofslices from the primary site to the plurality of secondary sites suchthat the master secondary site stores a first slice of the set of dataand each of the at least one subsidiary peer site stores a correspondingslice of the set of data. Responsive to completion of copying theplurality of slices to the plurality of secondary sites, the methodfurther comprises for each of the at least one subsidiary peer site,initiating copying of the corresponding slice of the set of data to themaster secondary site.

In other illustrative embodiments, a computer program product comprisinga computer useable or readable medium having a computer readable programis provided. The computer readable program, when executed on a computingdevice; causes the computing device to perform various ones of, andcombinations of, the operations outlined above with regard to the methodillustrative embodiment.

In yet another illustrative embodiment, a system/apparatus is provided.The system/apparatus may comprise one or more processors and a memorycoupled to the one or more processors. The memory may compriseinstructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, causethe one or more processors to perform various ones of, and combinationsof, the operations outlined above with regard to the method illustrativeembodiment.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will bedescribed in, or will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart in view of, the following detailed description of the exampleembodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, as well as a preferred mode of use and further objectivesand advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing node according to an illustrativeembodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a cloud computing environment according an illustrativeembodiment;

FIG. 3 depicts abstraction model layers according to an illustrativeembodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts an example deployment of a system for data migration andreplication in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates splitting data across a master secondary site and aset of secondary pontoon sites in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates consolidated read-only logic providing a view of datafrom the secondary sites while allowing pontoon sites to copy data tothe master secondary site in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of copy and read-only operations betweenpontoon sites and the master secondary site in accordance with anillustrative embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a mechanism forestablishing partnerships between a primary site, pontoon sites, and amaster secondary site in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIGS. 9A and 9B show a flowchart illustrating operation of a mechanismfor background copy and consolidated read view in accordance with anillustrative embodiment; and

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a flowchart illustrating operation of a mechanismfor slice calculation and pontoon site space allocation in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrative embodiments provide a mechanism for data security andconfidentiality during remote replication across storage clouds. Themechanism may create or identify independent storage clouds, or“pontoons,” as equal stake holders and relay split information of theprimary data or production data across all pontoons to a mastersecondary site. A pontoon site is a subsidiary peer site thatparticipates in migration or replication of data from a primary site toa master secondary site without storing the entirety of the data. Eachcloud or pontoon may act as a “stepping stone” in the replicationprocess. The primary data or production information may then be viewedat the remote site, which consolidates the views from the independentstorage clouds or pontoons and presents a single view of the datascattered across the clouds until all data are copied from each pontoonsite to the master secondary site. Because each pontoon has a qualifiedsubset of data and not the entire set of data to the third party or anyperson accessing a pontoon site, the data would only appear as randombits. The mechanism also attempts to solve the problem of large timerequired for initial synchronization by replicating portions of primarydata across pontoon sites thereby reducing the load of data to be copiedfrom a single site to another single remote site. The mechanism may beused to replicate or migrate multiple primary images to a single mastersecondary site or multiple master secondary sites.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least live characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email). Theconsumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructureincluding network, servers, operating systems, storage, or evenindividual application capabilities, with the possible exception oflimited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization, it may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations) it may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting for loadbalancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of an example of a cloud computingnode is shown. Cloud computing node 10 is only one example of a suitablecloud computing node and is not intended to suggest any limitation as tothe scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the inventiondescribed herein. Regardless, cloud computing node 10 is capable ofbeing implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forthhereinabove.

In cloud computing node 10 there is a computer system/server 12, whichis operational with numerous other general purpose or special purposecomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-knowncomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may besuitable for use with computer system/server 12 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmableconsumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframecomputer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments thatinclude any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

Computer system/server 12 may be described in the general context ofcomputer system executable instructions, such as program modules, beingexecuted by a computer system. Generally, program modules may includeroutines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and soon that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract datatypes. Computer system/server 12 may be practiced in distributed cloudcomputing environments where tasks are performed by remote processingdevices that are linked through a communications network. In adistributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be locatedin both local and remote computer system storage media including memorystorage devices.

As shown in FIG. 1, computer system/server 12 in cloud computing node 10is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. Thecomponents of computer system/server 12 may include, but are not limitedto, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28,and a bus 18 that couples various system components including systemmemory 28 to processor 16.

Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation,such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus,Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, VideoElectronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and PeripheralComponent Interconnects (PCI) bus.

Computer system/server 12 typically includes a variety of computersystem readable media. Such media may be any available media that isaccessible by computer system/server 12, and it includes both volatileand non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.

System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the formof volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cachememory 32. Computer system/server 12 may further include otherremovable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storagemedia. By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided forreading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media(not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, amagnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable,non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile opticaldisk such as a. CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided.In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more datamedia interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below,memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g.,at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out thefunctions of embodiments of the invention.

Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42,may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation, aswell as an operating system, one or more application programs, otherprogram modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one ormore application programs, other program modules, and program data orsome combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networkingenvironment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/ormethodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.Computer system/server 12 may also communicate with one or more externaldevices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.;one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computersystem/server 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.)that enable computer system/server 12 to communicate with one or moreother computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output(I/O) interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system/server 12 cancommunicate with one or more networks such as a local area network(LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g.,the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20communicates with the other components of computer system/server 12 viabus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardwareand/or software components could be used in conjunction with computersystem/server 12. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 3, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 2) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 3 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include mainframes, in oneexample IBM® zSeries® systems; RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer)architecture based servers, in one example IBM pSeries® systems; IBMxSeries® systems; IBM BladeCenter® systems; storage devices; networksand networking components. Examples of software components includenetwork application server software, in one example IBM WebSphere®application server software; and database software, in one example IBMDB2®) database software. (IBM, zSeries, pSeries, xSeries, BladeCenter,WebSphere, and DB2 are trademarks of International Business MachinesCorporation registered in many jurisdictions worldwide).

Virtualization layer 62 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers;virtual storage; virtual networks, including virtual private networks;virtual applications and operating systems; and virtual clients.

In one example, management layer 64 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning provides dynamic procurement of computingresources and other resources that are utilized to perform tasks withinthe cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing provide costtracking as resources are utilized within the cloud computingenvironment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management providescloud computing resource allocation and management such that requiredservice levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planning andfulfillment provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of, cloudcomputing resources for which a future requirement is anticipated inaccordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 66 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation; software development and lifecycle management; virtualclassroom education delivery; and data analytics processing; transactionprocessing; and data migration/replication.

The storage cloud is basically a networked online storage available forany qualified entity or entities to use allocated space according torequirements. The enterprise organizations must replicate productiondata, or critical information to a remote site so that during disastersituations the data can be recovered. However, while replicating dataacross multiple data centers spread across multiple sites, the datareplication rate is limited to the bandwidth and speed of the availableinter-site link. For higher bandwidths, higher costs are to be borne bythe organization, and for large data to be replicated to the secondarysite, the replication time is long.

The illustrative embodiments attempt to solve the problem of fast dataavailability at the secondary site without having to wait for the entireinitial synchronization to happen. The illustrative embodiments alsoattempt to solve the problem of data security by not adding an overheadof encryption. The illustrative embodiments split data across availablepontoon sites. Even if a party does have access to the data, it will notbe complete; the party has only partial access.

The illustrative embodiments allow the usage of existing public orqualified storage clouds acting as pontoons, as potential stake holdersin the operation. A pontoon site is a subsidiary peer site thatparticipates in migration or replication of data from a primary site toa master secondary site without storing the entirety of the data. Theillustrative embodiments require the administrator at the time ofestablishing partnerships with remote sites to identify the availablepontoon sites. The pontoon sites are paid or public storage clouds thatprovide qualified storage or usage space on-demand, as reserved, or asdetermined by agreements between the entity and the storage cloudproviders. The administrator establishes partnerships between theprimary site and qualified secondary site, as well as between theprimary site and the pontoon sites and between the pontoon sites and thesecondary site.

During this process, the administrator must identify the remote site,which would act as a master secondary site. The master secondary siteprovides a consolidated view to the host/servers accessing the databeing replicated. Once the respective slices of primary data arereplicated to each of the pontoon site and the master secondary site,the master secondary site enables the consolidated read view, whichprovides the read-only view of the primary data, sections of which arepulled from each pontoon site. While this read-only view is available,the relationship exists in a synchronized tri-state where the data iscopied to pontoon sites but is yet to be copied from each of the pontoonsites to the master secondary site.

The illustrative embodiments require that the administrator identify thepontoon sites. A pontoon is a stepping stone. The illustrativeembodiments use this concept in replication of primary data acrossdifferent pontoons and consolidation of this data at a remote site. Apontoon site can be a storage array or a network attached storage (NAS)box or storage cloud. A pontoon site is a subsidiary peer site thatparticipates in migration or replication of data from a primary site toa master secondary site without storing the entirety of the data.

FIG. 4 depicts an example deployment of a system for data migration andreplication in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Storage cloudprimary site 410 migrates or replicates data to storage cloud mastersecondary site 420. An administrator establishes partnerships betweenthe primary site 410 and the master secondary site 420, as well asbetween the primary site 410 and storage cloud secondary pontoon sites421-423 and between the pontoon sites 421-423 and the master secondarysite 420.

Storage cloud primary site 410 replicates a portion of the data to themaster secondary site 420 and concurrently replicates portions of thedata to pontoon sites 421-423. Once primary site 410 replicates the datato master secondary site 420 and pontoon sites 421-423, master secondarysite 420 may enable a consolidated view such that a client can view thedata as if the entire data were present at master secondary site 420.Ultimately, pontoon sites 421-423 replicate the portions of the data tomaster secondary site 420 until the data are completely replicated tomaster secondary site 420.

FIG. 5 illustrates splitting data across a master secondary site and aset of secondary pontoon sites in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment. Primary site 510 divides the data to be migrated orreplicated into a number of slices in a bitmap. Each slice represents asite participating in replication. For example, if there are four sites,including the master site, then the bitmap will include four slices.Random logic and background copy threads 515 define how the slices arecopied from primary site 510 to master secondary site 520 and secondarypontoon sites 521-523. Each slice has blocks of data on the bitmap to becopied to its respective site.

FIG. 6 illustrates consolidated read-only logic providing a view of datafrom the secondary sites while allowing pontoon sites to copy data tothe master secondary site in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.Master secondary site 620 initially, stores a respective stripe of datareplicated or migrated from a primary site (not shown). Secondarypontoon sites 621-623 also initially store respective stripes of datafrom the bitmap of the data to be replicated. Virtual logic 630consolidates the data replicated across the storage pontoons. Virtuallogic 630 allows master secondary site 620 to provide a consolidatedread-only view of the data, even though the data has not yet been fullyreplicated from pontoon sites 621-623 to master secondary site 620.Virtual logic 630 provides the read-only view 640 of the mastersecondary site to clients.

FIG. 7 illustrates a view of copy and read-only operations betweenpontoon sites and the master secondary site in accordance with anillustrative embodiment. An administrator establishes partnershipsbetween master secondary site 720 and secondary sites 721-723. Mastersecondary site 720 may communicate with secondary sites 721-723 tomigrate data blocks from secondary sites 721-723 to master secondarysite 720. Concurrently, before migration of data blocks to mastersecondary site 720 is completed, master secondary site 720 maycommunicate with secondary sites 721-723 to provide a read-only view ofthe data.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the present inventionmay be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product.Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of anentirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodimentcombining software and hardware aspects that may all generally bereferred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system,” Furthermore,aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer programproduct embodied in any one or more computer readable medium's) havingcomputer usable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablestorage medium would include the following: an electrical connectionhaving one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber,a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), an optical storagedevice, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storagemedium may be any tangible medium that can contain or store a programfor use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in abaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Computer code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, radio frequency (RF), etc., or anysuitable combination thereof.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent invention may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java™, Smalltalk™, C++, or the like, and conventional proceduralprogramming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similarprogramming languages. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer, or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems and computer program products according to the illustrativeembodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block ofthe flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations ofblocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can beimplemented by computer program instructions. These computer programinstructions may be provided to a processor of a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or other programmable dataprocessing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions,which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmabledata processing apparatus, create means for implementing thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions thatimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus, or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operation of a mechanism forestablishing partnerships between a primary site, pontoon sites, and amaster secondary site in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.Operation begins (block 800), and an administrator identifies andcreates storage pontoons or storage cloud pontoons (block 801). Themechanism creates a storage pontoon by first identifying the mastersecondary site and then identifying private/public storage clouds(acting as pontoons) that will participate in the replication process.On the primary site, an administrator identifies a master secondary siteto which data are to be replicated or migrated (block 802). Anadministrator identifies participating private or public storage pontoonor storage cloud pontoon sites (block 803).

An administrator then establishes a partnership between the primary siteand the master secondary site (block 804). An administrator alsoestablishes partnerships between the primary site and the pontoons(block 805). An administrator establishes partnerships between themaster secondary site and the pontoon sites (block 806). Thereafter,operation ends (block 807).

The operation requires that all the storage sites can be manageddynamically from a single or multiple management interfaces that cancreate/modify/delete the available storage space and, if required,perform advanced operations. This also assumes that properauthentication procedures are in place and then the partnerships areestablished.

Secondary sites comprise a master secondary site and one or more pontoonsites. A pontoon site is a participating storage or storage cloudparticipating in the replication process. The master secondary site isthe replication site at which the primary image is to be replicated.Until all the data from the pontoon sites reach the master secondarysite, the logic at the master secondary site provides a consolidatedread view once all the data of respective slices are copied to thesecondary sites. A slice (S) comprises chunks of data blocks of theprimary image to be copied to the participating sites. A unit of data isthe space of each logical unit number (LON), logical volume, virtualdisk, physical disk, space, folder, or file participating in thereplication as a primary image. A unit may comprise multiple LUNs orstorages participating in the replication process at primary.

A slice length (SS) is the length or the number of data blocks of theprimary image (of each unit) that is to be copied to the respectivesecondary site. Slice length is particularly important on a per-pontoonsite basis, as depending on the available storage on that slice, thelength may be adjusted or varied. The total number of sites (N) includesall of the participating sites, excluding the primary site. That is, thetotal number of sites includes the master secondary site and thesecondary pontoon sites. The available space (AS) is the available spaceon each pontoon site.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show a flowchart illustrating operation of a mechanismfor background copy and consolidated read view in accordance with anillustrative embodiment. With reference to FIG. 9A, operation begins(block 900), and the mechanism creates data storage space of equal sizeof the primary data storage space on the master secondary site (block901). The mechanism calculates available pontoon sites (block 902) andapproximates the available space on each pontoon site (block 903). Themechanism then calculates and approximates how much of the storage spaceof the primary data can be stored on each pontoon site (block 904).

The mechanism creates qualified check points on the bitmap of theprimary data (block 905). Each section appears as an independentblock-set with equivalent space available across each pontoon site(block 906). The mechanism establishes relationships between equivalentindependent sections of the primary data and available spaces of thepontoon sites (block 907). The mechanism then creates multiple threadsfor background copy operation to be split across the master secondarysite and the pontoon sites (block 908). The mechanism copies the primarydata to each qualified storage pontoon site and master secondary site(block 909).

Thereafter, turning to FIG. 9B, the mechanism determines whether thedata for a qualified section has been copied to each pontoon site (block910). If the data has not been copied to each pontoon site, operationreturns to block 909 in FIG. 9A to copy primary data to the secondarysites.

If the data has been copied to each pontoon site in block 910, themechanism marks the relationship has completed background copy of theprimary data across each pontoon site (block 911). Then, the mechanismtriggers logic for the consolidated read view of the data at the mastersecondary site (block 912). The mechanism starts background copy betweeneach pontoon site and the master secondary site (block 913). Once alldata are copied from the pontoon sites to the master secondary site, themechanism terminates the consolidated read view logic (block 914).Thereafter, operation ends (block 915).

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a flowchart illustrating operation of a mechanismfor slice calculation and pontoon site space allocation in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment. With reference to FIG. 10A, operationbegins (block 1000), and the mechanism calculates the number ofsecondary sites, including the master secondary site and the subsidiarypeer (pontoon) sites (block 1001). The mechanism splits a primary databitmap into slices as per available storage space on each qualifiedsecondary site (block 1002). The number of slices (S) may be equal tothe number (N) of secondary sites, including a master secondary site towhich the data are to be migrated or replicated and a set of subsidiarypeer storage sites. For example, if there are three subsidiary peer(pontoon) sites and one master secondary site, then the number of slicesis four.

The mechanism calculates the minimum storage space (SS) per site (block1003). The minimum storage space is the primary image space (PS) dividedby the number of sites. For example, if the primary data are 40 GB andthe number of sites is four, then each slice length is 10 GB. Themechanism probes each secondary site for available storage space (block1004). The probes provide the available space (AS) per pontoon site.

For each secondary site, the mechanism calculates the storage space forreplication (block 1005). The mechanism then determines whether theminimum storage space meets the slice length (SS) criteria (block 1006).Utile minimum storage space meets the slice length criteria, themechanism marks the slice length storage space as available on the site(Hock 1007). Then, operation proceeds to block 1008 in FIG. 10B to markthe region for background copy threads to copy to that slice on theidentified secondary site. The mechanism then determines whether thesite is the last secondary site (block 1009). If the site is not thelast secondary site, operation returns to block 1005 in FIG. 10A tocalculate the storage space for replication for the next site.

If the available storage space of the secondary site does not meet theslice length requirement in block 1006, the mechanism identitiesavailable space and marks a new slice length for the slice correspondingto the secondary pontoon site (block 1010). The master secondary sitewill always have the entire storage space for the primary volume, butthe participating storage clouds may or may not have the required spacefor storing the slices. The mechanism calculates the space difference(block 1011) and shifts the next slice on the bitmap to start on theprevious slice end (block 1012).

Next, the mechanism determines whether the next site has additionalspace (block 1013). If the next site has additional space, turning toFIG. 10B, the mechanism determines whether the available space is equalto the slice length plus the space difference (block 1014). If theavailable space is not equal to the slice length plus the difference, orif the next site does not have additional space in block 1013, themechanism maintains the slice length criteria, for the secondary site(block 1015) and discards usage of the additional space (block 1016).The mechanism then marks the region for background copy threads to copyto that slice on the identified secondary site (block 1008) anddetermines whether the site is the last secondary peer site (block1009). If the site is not the last secondary site, then operationreturns to block 1005 in FIG. 10A to calculate the storage space forreplication for the next site.

If the available space is equal to the slice length plus the differencein block 1014, the mechanism sets anew slice length for the secondarysite (block 1017) and then marks the region for background copy threadsto copy to that slice on the identified site (block 1008) and determineswhether the site is the last secondary site (block 1009). If the site isnot the last secondary site, operation returns to block 1005 in FIG. 10Ato calculate the storage space for replication for the next site.

If the site is the last secondary site in block 1009, the mechanismestablishes the pontoon sites in relationship with the master secondarysite (block 1018). The mechanism relays, from the primary site to themaster secondary site, information of slice length of blocks to becopied to the master secondary site from each pontoon site to the mastersecondary site (block 1019). The mechanism starts background copythreads from the primary site to each subsidiary peer (pontoon) site andthe master secondary site (block 1020).

Once copy operation completes, the mechanism enables consolidated readview logic on the master secondary site (block 1021). The mechanism thenstarts the copy process from each pontoon site to the master secondarysite (block 1022). The mechanism verifies data from each pontoon site iscopied the master secondary site (block 1023). Thereafter, operationends (block 1024).

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof code, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be notedthat, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in theblock may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, twoblocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantiallyconcurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverseorder, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be notedthat each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, andcombinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-basedsystems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations ofspecial purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Thus, the illustrative embodiments provide mechanisms for managingreplication or migration of large and critical data from a primary siteto a secondary site. The mechanisms of the illustrative embodimentsaddress the concerns of security and data privacy using third-party orstorage cloud services, because each subsidiary site only has a fractionof the primary image being replicated rather than the entire data. Anyunwarranted or unauthorized access to the data on subsidiary sites orany compromise on access security would only provide partial data, whichwould be useless. Each participating site, excluding the mastersecondary and primary sites, acts as a pontoon or stepping stone. Thesubsidiary peer sites collect the defined set of data and then at someappropriate point in time, the data is copied from the subsidiary peersites to the master secondary site.

As noted above, it should be appreciated that the illustrativeembodiments may take the form of an entirety hardware embodiment, anentirely software embodiment or an embodiment containing both hardwareand software elements. In one example embodiment, the mechanisms of theillustrative embodiments are implemented in software or program code,which includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software,microcode, etc.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode will include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectlyto memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can includelocal memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulkstorage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at leastsome program code in order to reduce the number of times code must beretrieved from bulk storage during execution.

Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards,displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system eitherdirectly or through intervening I/O controllers. Network adapters mayalso be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system tobecome coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers orstorage devices through intervening private or public networks. Modems,cable modems and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currentlyavailable types of network adapters.

The description of the present invention has been presented for purposesof illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention, the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, in a data processing system, for datareplication, comprising: dividing a set of data to be replicated into aplurality of slices, wherein each slice of the plurality of slices is tobe copied from a primary site to a master secondary site within aplurality of secondary sites, wherein the plurality of secondary sitescomprises the master secondary site and at least one subsidiary peersite; copying the plurality of slices from the primary site to theplurality of secondary sites such that the master secondary site storesa first slice of the set of data and each of the at least one subsidiarypeer site stores a corresponding slice of the set of data; andresponsive to completion of copying the plurality of slices to theplurality of secondary sites, for each given subsidiary peer site withinthe at leas one subsidiary peer site, initiating copying of thecorresponding slice of the set of data from the given subsidiary peersite to the master secondary site.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theprimary site comprises a storage cloud.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the master secondary site comprises a storage cloud.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the at least one subsidiary peer sitecomprises a storage cloud.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein dividingthe set of data into the plurality of slices comprises: determining anumber of secondary sites; determining a storage space per secondarysite based on the number of secondary sites; and for each givensecondary site, responsive to available storage space of the givensecondary site being greater than or equal to the storage space, markinga region of storage space of the given secondary site for replicationstorage.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein dividing the set of data intothe plurality of slices further comprises: responsive to availablestorage space of the given secondary site not being greater than orequal to the storage space, determining a space difference; andresponsive to a next secondary site having additional storage space,shifting a next slice to start on a previous slice end and setting a newslice length for the given secondary site and the next secondary site.7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: responsive to completionof copying the plurality of slices to the plurality of secondary sites,enabling logic for a consolidated read view of the set of data at themaster secondary site, wherein the logic presents a consolidated readview of the set of data to a client as if the set of data is stored atthe master secondary site.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:responsive to completion of copying slices of the set of data from theat least one subsidiary peer site to the master secondary site,disabling the logic for the consolidated read view of the set of data atthe master secondary site.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:establishing a partnership between the primary site and each of theplurality of secondary sites.
 10. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: establishing a partnership between each of the at least onesubsidiary peer site and the master secondary site.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein initiating copying of the corresponding slice of theset of data to the master secondary site comprises initiating abackground copy thread on the given subsidiary peer site.
 12. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: verifying data from each of the at leastone subsidiary peer site is copied to the master secondary site.
 13. Acomputer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium having a computer readable program stored therein,wherein the computer readable program, when executed on a computingdevice, causes the computing device to: divide a set of data to bereplicated into a plurality of slices, wherein each slice of theplurality of slices is to be copied from a primary site to a mastersecondary site within a plurality of secondary sites, wherein theplurality of secondary sites comprises the master secondary site and atleast one subsidiary peer site; copy the plurality of slices from theprimary site to the plurality of secondary sites such that the mastersecondary site stores a first slice of the set of data and each of theat least one subsidiary peer site stores a corresponding slice of theset of data; and responsive to completion of copying the plurality ofslices to the plurality of secondary sites, for each given subsidiarypeer site within the at least one subsidiary peer site, initiate copyingof the corresponding slice of the set of data from the given subsidiarypeer site to the master secondary site.
 14. The computer program productof claim 13, wherein at least one of the primary site or the mastersecondary site comprises a storage cloud.
 15. The computer programproduct of claim 13, wherein the at subsidiary peer site comprises astorage cloud.
 16. The computer program product of claim 13, whereindividing the set of data into the plurality of slices comprises:determining a number of secondary sites; determining a storage space persecondary site based on the number of secondary sites; and for eachgiven secondary site, responsive to available storage space of the givensecondary site being greater than or equal to the storage space, markinga region of storage space of the given secondary site for replicationstorage.
 17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein dividingthe set of data into the plurality of slices further comprises:responsive to available storage space of the given secondary site notbeing greater than or equal to the storage space, determining a spacedifference; and responsive to a next secondary site having additionalstorage space, shifting a next slice to start on a previous slice endand setting a new slice length for the given secondary site and the nextsecondary site.
 18. The computer program product of claim 13, whereinthe computer readable program further causes the computing device to:responsive to completion of copying the plurality of slices to theplurality of secondary sites, enable logic for a consolidated read viewof the set of data at the master secondary site, wherein the logicpresents a consolidated read view of the set of data to a client as ifthe set of data is stored at the master secondary site; and responsiveto completion of copying slices of the set of data from the at least onesubsidiary peer site to the master secondary site, disable the logic forthe consolidated read view of the set of data at the master secondarysite.
 19. The computer program product of claim 13, Wherein the computerreadable program further causes the computing device to: establish apartnership between the primary site and each of the plurality ofsecondary sites; and establish a partnership between each of the atleast one subsidiary peer site and the master secondary site.
 20. Thecomputer program product of claim 13, wherein the computer readableprogram is stored in a computer readable storage medium in a dataprocessing system and wherein the computer readable program wasdownloaded over a network from a remote data processing system.
 21. Thecomputer program product of claim 13, wherein the computer readableprogram is stored in a computer readable storage medium in a server dataprocessing system and wherein the computer readable program isdownloaded over a network to a remote data processing system for use ina computer readable storage medium with the remote system.
 22. Anapparatus, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to theprocessor, wherein the memory comprises instructions which, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to: divide a set of datato be replicated into a plurality of slices, wherein each slice of theplurality of slices is to be copied from a primary site to a mastersecondary site within a plurality of secondary sites, wherein theplurality of secondary sites comprises the master secondary site and atleast one subsidiary peer site; copy the plurality of slices from theprimary site to the plurality of secondary sites such that the mastersecondary site stores a first slice of the set of data and each of theat least one subsidiary peer site stores a corresponding slice of theset of data; and responsive to completion of copying the plurality ofslices to the plurality of secondary sites, for each given subsidiarypeer site within the at least one subsidiary peer site, initiate copyingof the corresponding slice of the set of data from the given subsidiarypeer site to the master secondary site.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22,wherein at least one of the primary site or the master secondary sitecomprises a storage cloud.
 24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the atleast one subsidiary peer site comprises a storage cloud.
 25. Theapparatus of claim 22, wherein dividing the set of data into theplurality of slices comprises: determining a number of secondary sites;determining a storage space per secondary site based on the number ofsec sites; and for each given secondary site, responsive to availablestorage space of the given secondary site being greater than or equal tothe storage space, marking a region of storage space of the givensecondary site for replication storage.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25,wherein dividing the set of data into the plurality of slices furthercomprises: responsive to available storage space of the given secondarysite not being greater than or equal to the storage space, determining aspace difference; and responsive to a next secondary site havingadditional storage space, shifting a next slice to start on a previousslice end and setting a new slice length for the given secondary siteand the next secondary site.
 27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein theinstructions further cause processor to: responsive to completion ofcopying the plurality of slices to the plurality of secondary sites,enable logic for a consolidated read view of the set of data at themaster secondary site, wherein the logic presents a consolidated readview of the set of data to a client as if the set of data is stored atthe master secondary site; and responsive to completion of copyingslices of the set of data from the at least one subsidiary peer site tothe master secondary site, disable the logic for the consolidated readview of the set of data at the master secondary site.
 28. The apparatusof claim 22, wherein the instructions further cause the processor to:establish a partnership between the primary site and each of theplurality of secondary sites; and establish a partnership between eachof the at least one subsidiary peer site and the master secondary site.